Working with horses when you don't jump?

[Irishdiamond]

Can anyone give me some advice on what sort of career I can have with horses that dosent involve having to jump? I learnt to jump as a teen and hated it so much, somehow managed to fall off majority of the times so I refused to jump for 6 years. Now I've decided I want a career with horses but majority of yard jobs ask for stage 2 which means I'd have to jump and I really don't want too. Everyone pushes me to jump when I know I'm not ready but now it's a case of I genuinely hate doing it 😓

I even tried to be brave last night and do canter poles in jumping position (to be fair it was a complicated ask as I had to go on the opposite rein after so misunderstanding between me & the horse) and somehow managed to fall off and got caught in the stirrups but thankfully kicked myself free so it's just reaffirmed it's not for me.

I feel like no-one in the horse world would ever take me seriously if I can't jump but I don't want it to stop me having a career.
Most groom jobs ask that you can atleast school a horse which includes jumping. I'd like to work in a riding school but a-lot ask for stage 2.

Any ideas?? I was so confident up until last night and planned to do an apprenticeship at a riding school but I don't want to be pushed to jump.

 

[only_me]

You should try going xc, you have less to think about and it's far more enjoyable than showjumping what area you in NI?

It just sounds like you've had a lot of bad luck, and your horse not the most willing. it might be worth going to have a lesson on a schoolmaster or a decent riding school horse and jump a couple of fences. You don't need to jump high or much but slowly and small will let you build it up
Ground poles can be more difficult to get right imo, sometimes having a small upright jump is much easier to get right! You will find you don't need to get the right spot As much, usually if you let the horse sort it out it will be fine.


Otherwise dressage/endurance/racehorses (flat) Would be the most obvious paths to go but you'd still have to do pole work with majority of flat work training. I'm not sure about stages and jumping, for PC you definitely have to jump and B is 1m to 1.10m afaik. Mine was a while ago

Ps. Not being a stalker, I'm in NI so might be able to help lol

 

[be positive]

A pro yard is unlikely to want a groom to do any more than exercise the horses, event yards are going to want someone to hack and the schooling and jumping will be done by the riders not the grooms, dressage yards usually don't jump at all, in a RS you will be taught to jump especially if you plan on doing the BHS stages but there are many jobs out there where jumping is not going to be required, racing or stud work also come to mind, the places to avoid would be dealers yards where you would be expected to ride anything and jump it.

That said why not get some proper lessons to start building up your knowledge and experience along with improving your confidence but if you really don't want to jump I don't see it as something that will stop you having a career with horses.

 

[Irishdiamond]

You should try going xc, you have less to think about and it's far more enjoyable than showjumping what area you in NI?

It just sounds like you've had a lot of bad luck, and your horse not the most willing. it might be worth going to have a lesson on a schoolmaster or a decent riding school horse and jump a couple of fences. You don't need to jump high or much but slowly and small will let you build it up
Ground poles can be more difficult to get right imo, sometimes having a small upright jump is much easier to get right! You will find you don't need to get the right spot As much, usually if you let the horse sort it out it will be fine.


Otherwise dressage/endurance/racehorses (flat) Would be the most obvious paths to go but you'd still have to do pole work with majority of flat work training. I'm not sure about stages and jumping, for PC you definitely have to jump and B is 1m to 1.10m afaik. Mine was a while ago

Ps. Not being a stalker, I'm in NI so might be able to help lol

I love riding in the fields but i think XC would be even worse :0 I've ridden really great school horses who are Great jumpers but it's just me I think. Even when I did jump fine I never enjoyed it. It's those sharp turns in a course that will throw me off. I found even when cantering over poles I couldn't go over at the right time. It just feels so off and even trotting a jump, I don't have that "feel" to know when to go over.

I don't have to jump until BHS stage 2 which I need to get for a job on a professional yard. I think in stage 2 I've to jump grids and a course on two horses 😓😓 I might have to try dressage 🙈I'm in co antrim, I'm at a really great riding school ATM so even if I got the best jumper in the world I still would not enjoy it 🙈 I just need to find a way I can get a career without having to do it

 

[Irishdiamond]

A pro yard is unlikely to want a groom to do any more than exercise the horses, event yards are going to want someone to hack and the schooling and jumping will be done by the riders not the grooms, dressage yards usually don't jump at all, in a RS you will be taught to jump especially if you plan on doing the BHS stages but there are many jobs out there where jumping is not going to be required, racing or stud work also come to mind, the places to avoid would be dealers yards where you would be expected to ride anything and jump it.

That said why not get some proper lessons to start building up your knowledge and experience along with improving your confidence but if you really don't want to jump I don't see it as something that will stop you having a career with horses.

I've tried to get lessons and had wonderful horses who would take me over a jump fine but it's an issue with me where i just don't enjoy it so I don't want to do it. Even 6 years ago when I was a teen I would stay in beginner lessons so I didn't have to do it. I'd love to be on a yard helping out with lessons but I feel like everyone judges ability on whether you can jump. Thank you I will look into those

 

[Shay]

It isn't finding work without jumping that is going to be an issue - as Be Positive says there are lots of options. But getting your stages is going to be more of a problem. It is really hard to find anything but the most basic scut work without qualifications. Once you've got the work initially there may be more options to work your way upward - especially perhaps in racing. But an employer faced with two new applicants without work history are more likely to pick the one with qualifications.

The jumping for stage 2 is really minimal - if you can grit your teeth and get that it will help massively.

Just realised you were posting recently about apprenticeships. How about contacting the National Stud or the Racing School in Newmarket?

 

[be positive]

I've tried to get lessons and had wonderful horses who would take me over a jump fine but it's an issue with me where i just don't enjoy it so I don't want to do it. Even 6 years ago when I was a teen I would stay in beginner lessons so I didn't have to do it. I'd love to be on a yard helping out with lessons but I feel like everyone judges ability on whether you can jump. Thank you I will look into those

I think you may find things slightly different over here than in Ireland where hunting and jumping are more of a priority, I know plenty of people, including myself now, who do not jump and some dont ride yet they still teach or work on yards in grooms jobs or there are other types of job within the equine world that may appeal.

Look at Haddon training for some apprentice opportunities as an alternative to a RS environment, you will still be trained but it will be more targeted to what you want to do in the end, there are a fair few on the list that will not require jumping.

 

[Starzaan]

I disagree with the posters who say you can't get a good job in the equine industry without BHS qualifications.
I have run my own successful livery yard, been yard manager at a therapeutic riding centre, worked with top level national hunt racehorses, been an event groom, and now I'm head girl and an instructor on a very large riding school, livery and polo yard.

I have no BHS qualifications, but I have a lot of experience, good references and a good attitude.

I also hate jumping unless I'm on something that I know won't put a stop in. Doesn't matter how big or wide or scary, if I know they will jump I'm fine, but following an accident as a teenager I cannot ride a stop anymore without turning to jelly. I have managed for years without having to jump unless I want to. I'm honest and upfront from the start. I'm a good rider on the flat and can school horses well, and am confident backing and riding away youngsters so I have other skills.
Currently in my job I am in charge of a string of polo ponies - no jumping ever.

Now, that being said, I would recommend you get some regular jump lessons. I have worked on my jumping confidence since my accident, and can now happily jump my own horse or the odd hunter or school horse if I am teaching and need to show someone something. You don't need to jump to get on in this industry, but you do need to show that you've got the balls to try and conquer fears and overcome problems.

There are PLENTY of jobs you can do. You just need to work hard and gain experience. Good luck!

 

[tristar]

something trying to tell you to look for your own talent, do you enjoy schooling on the flat?

you need to look inside and try different things and look at different schools of training, for instance you may enjoy the gentle ways such as classical riding which needs a patient and calmer approach, whereas jumping can happen quickly you need a different mindset.


look on the internet, at all horse sports and training methods, when you get away from the everyday way of thinking, ie bhs must have qualifications etc, you may find something that really attracts and interests you, that is the thing to go for.

listen to yourself this is your life. god gave you a brain, use it, don`t accept all you are told and learn to let horses teach you and show the way.

most importantly never be afraid to ask, challenge and push yourself forwards, fate helps those who help themselves, and if you look hard enough you will find something.

 

[bluebellfreddy]

You definitely don't need to jump to work in a yard. Pretty much all professional yards you will hack out and if you are lucky get a flat lesson once a year. If you go to a dressage yard they will not be jumping. I have also found that most professional yards don't require you to have BHS exams, only riding schools and livery yards.

 

[scats]

I would make it my aim, if I were you, to get my stage 2. It will be such a personal achievement for you, as well as giving you the qualification.

I jumped successfully as a teenager and into my early 20s- learnt on one of the top jumping ponys in the country at the time and she taught my everything.

But a lack of good jumping horses in my twenties and then a very nasty fall jumping 6 weeks before my stage 2 exam, absolutely shattered my confidence.

I booked a jumping lesson at the exam venue and went up a few days before the exam, explained my issues and they were fabulous and gave me two of the horses they use in the exam to jump. They had me going over grids well above the height of stage 2. I was a nervous wreck, it was the first time I had jumped since the fall (I had cracked my spine in the fall) and I was terrified. I nearly came off, second horse put a dirty stop in and I ended up on its neck, but it made me more determined.

On the day of the exam I was absolutely terrified of the jumping part, but I did it, got commended for my jumping and passed first time. It felt like such a personal achievement.

Make it your aim and go and do it! Even if you never jump again afterwards, you can always look back and say you did something even though it scared you.
Good luck X

 

[LCH611]

the polo industry is currently crying out for grooms that don't need to come in from overseas and you definitely don't need to be able to jump (or indeed hold any BHS qualifications) to be a successful polo groom

 

[Goldenstar]

As an employer as long as you could convince me you could hack out a very fit horse safely it would not trouble me at all .
I need people prepared to do the do yard work well .
I can jump my own horses I don't need others doing that .
In fact I am shy of employing people who want to train and work horses .

 

[conniegirl]

I have to say that if you have not got the balance for canter poles in a jumping position then have you really got the balance to be riding fit competition horses that can whip round in an instant or where you may be asked to gallop horses on as part of a fittening regime (gallop position being very similar to jumping position).

I'd go back to basics and sort your balance before worrying about anything further!

 

[ester]

A little like conniegirl you say that it is the turns between fences and doing the poles because you had a turn after them that means you fall off?
In which case someone either needs to teach you about navigating a course because there is no need for turns to be tight or your balance doesn't sound good enough for any riding of fit competition horses, jumping or not.

However I would also agree that doing BHS stages is not a necessity for a career with horses. / there was some noise recently about them making the jumping element optional up to stage 2 or 3

 

[ihatework]

I can categorically state that the only horse path not having BHS exams will hold you back in is is BHS riding establishments. There is a vast horse world outside of this where employers couldn't give two hoots about BHS exams.

Not wanting to jump is not an issue at all. There are also many non riding positions available across a range of equestrian disciplines. One thing that leaps out at me is it sounds as though your overall level of riding is still very basic if you are coming off with a mishap at some canter poles. If this is the case you might struggle to ride fit competition horses, even just out hacking.

My advice would be to look at apprenticeship schemes, like Haddon training. I know a local stud to me takes on apprentices and trains them in stud work, e.g. Foaling, foal handling, stallion collections etc. If apprentices want to ride then they try and find them an older/quieter horse to play with.

 

[JustMe22]

Do you have to be a rider?

Would you be interested in something like equine chiropractic or physio? Farrier? Nutritionist?

If you want to handle horses maybe you could look at working with mares and foals on a stud or as a groom at a spelling yard for racehorses?

 

[xxKatxx]

You can also do the BHS exams modularly and the Care section is a qualification is a qualification in its own right, so you could take the Stage 2 Care and flatwork section from the riding without having to jump, and then have some qualifications to apply for jobs with. I'm much more confident on the flat and handling, so have done the exams in this way to allow me to spend more time training for the jumping!!

 

[benz]

Plenty of horsey jobs about where you don't need to jump, and you definitely don't need BHS qualifications as long as you have the ability and the experience and you can prove that.

What about stud work or even driving? No riding involved there so no risk of jumping and they're specialised areas so you could really find a niche. Otherwise dressage, racing, polo, private yards, trekking, endurance, tv/stunt riders, retirement livery, rescue centres....

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

I work in a national hunt racing yard and like hell would you get me near a hurdle! Let alone a chase fence! I have jumped the hurdles and Im not going to lie - tinted goggles come in mighty handy so no one can see that your eyes are closed!!! I also only jumped them on 2 horses that I trusted implicitly to do everything for me, I just had to point, hold my holy crap strap and stay out of the saddle!

In racing if you cant jump you wont be asked too. Theres plenty of other people to do that job and theres no point in wrecking horses at home by having a dodgy person jumping when there are more experienced people to do the job for you!

 

[DabDab]

As an employer as long as you could convince me you could hack out a very fit horse safely it would not trouble me at all .
I need people prepared to do the do yard work well .
I can jump my own horses I don't need others doing that .
In fact I am shy of employing people who want to train and work horses .

This. Someone who really cares about the yard work and has a great work ethic is much harder to find and more useful that someone who wants to jump.

Jobs in studs might be a good place to start looking....if you can handle youngsters well and are good at yard work then you are worth your weight in gold.

 

[Irishdiamond]

Thank you all for your posts, you have all given me a lot to think about for the future. I've only been getting one lesson a month if even so yes, I am still at basics and it just so happened the canter pole was situated towards a corner and I had to canter it on a change of rein, the way it worked out I had barely two strides after before I had to turn Or I'd hit the wall so it was an easy mistake.

I'm still going ahead with my apprenticeship once I have my BHS stage 1 but will give more thought into the type of apprenticeship that is best. Thanks everyone

 

[conniegirl]

Thank you all for your posts, you have all given me a lot to think about for the future. I've only been getting one lesson a month if even so yes, I am still at basics and it just so happened the canter pole was situated towards a corner and I had to canter it on a change of rein, the way it worked out I had barely two strides after before I had to turn Or I'd hit the wall so it was an easy mistake.

I'm still going ahead with my apprenticeship once I have my BHS stage 1 but will give more thought into the type of apprenticeship that is best. Thanks everyone

TBH, I'd expect anyone riding fit competition horses to be able to do that with their eyes shut. Turning over a pole at canter is fairly basic stuff. You will be asked to canter over poles in your stage 1.

I really think you need a lot more lessons (weekly ones with a good instructor) before you start looking at jobs where you may be asked to ride.

I also think that you need to look at a new instructor if you have had this one for a while as you dont sound anywhere near secure enough in your seat to be jumping yet so if they are asking you to jump (and you are falling off crushing your confidence) then they are not a good instructor and are not doing you anygood.

Perhaps looking at stud work would be more suited.

 

[twiggy2]

For the last 20 yrs plus I have not had to jump the horses I have worked with, I have hacked and lunged but those competing have schooled on the flat and over jumps- I spent 6 yrs of that time working for a family who evented

 

[Irishdiamond]

TBH, I'd expect anyone riding fit competition horses to be able to do that with their eyes shut. Turning over a pole at canter is fairly basic stuff. You will be asked to canter over poles in your stage 1.

I really think you need a lot more lessons (weekly ones with a good instructor) before you start looking at jobs where you may be asked to ride.

I also think that you need to look at a new instructor if you have had this one for a while as you dont sound anywhere near secure enough in your seat to be jumping yet so if they are asking you to jump (and you are falling off crushing your confidence) then they are not a good instructor and are not doing you anygood.

Perhaps looking at stud work would be more suited.

I didn't say I was looking for a job yet, It was merely asking for opinions for my future when I have my stage 1 and THEN I will be looking. I've been in and out of lessons and this is only my third lesson in 3 months so hence why I don't have a secure seat.

 

[Wishful]

I'm not experienced at all - RS lessons only but have found that riding over jumps at a basic has really improved my balance, contact and ability to plan on the flat - so I can now sit a big swerve and nap mid dressage test or whatever. Contact improves because the horses are more likely to take the contact forward to a fence and with jumps around you have to get the transistion to canter at the right time so you have to prepare more which translates to better planning.

At a basic level jumping doesn't need worrying about strides, just being in a ready/balanced position to allow when the horse does jump and making sure the approach is balanced and has enough oomph - so pretty well like riding a dressage move well with a slightly bigger canter stride!

 

[D66]

Jumping is just a big canter stride, once you are secure and confident cantering jumping will seem much less of a problem, unless you have built it up to be so in your head.
Just carry on the lessons and deal with jumping later.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Whilst there are plenty of non jumping jobs about, if you are going to be riding as part of your job, you will expected to have a good strong independent seat at all paces. Even if you are only hacking out on the roads at walk and trot, you would need to be able to cope with any 'moments' in which your mount spooks or behaves erratically.

Going back to the jumping, I am also fairly terrified of leaving the ground (after a cruncher of a fall in a jump off as a teenager). I did manage to pass my Riding Club grade 3 exam though, in which I had to jump a course on first my own horse, then on another candidate's horse, which I had never ridden before. I would never jump a strange horse again, but was able to overcome my fears for the one day (due to an adrenalin rush!).

 

[dollyanna]

One more option for non-jumping jobs would be on a driving yard. Depending on the size of the ponies/horses you might not be needed to ride at all but still have all the contact and care of the animals. Many driving yards don't need driving experience as you learn on the job, and usually you'll be on the back of the carriage, rather than actually learning to drive yourself. You probably need to know how to lunge and longrein though. Just another possibility that many riders wouldn't think of.

 

[AdorableAlice]

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